Category: Community
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to Sabbath like a lizard
To Sabbath Like a LizardI didn’t read my Bible today.I sprawled out on our aging deckand kicked off my shoes.The skin of my bellyinadvertently made contactwith the sun-warmed wood underneath.I can see why lizards do this, I thought.I heard the leaves rustle overheadas the breeze swept through my haira dog barkeda bird warbledI became aware…
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the inconvenience of our sadness
The Inconvenience of Our Sadness Do you ever feel so tired, you just weep and weep and weep? Weeping sounds so beautiful, like a willow— elegant sadness stretching out perpetually, showing off her delicate leaves draped on bending branches. My sadness never feels that lovely. It feels ugly, self-indulgent, and inconvenient— an obstacle to all…
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sisterhood of the sacred dance: afraid & free
Sisterhood of the Sacred Dance: Afraid & Free Something they don’t tell you about freedom is that it can feel scary as hell, at first. Even as you celebrate the broken shackles, the lightness of your limbs feels unnatural, like you have become untethered and might just float away. When you wake up to the…
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a prayer for women OR a blessing for dissident daughters
a prayer for women or a blessing for dissident daughters Today I’m holding women close in my heart. I have a prayer to share for us all but would also be honored to pray for you specifically if you would like. Just comment or send a DM. A prayer for us all: God our Mother,…
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Say Their Names
Breath Prayer: Inhale: Remove my heart of stone. Exhale: Give me a heart of flesh. “Say Their Names” Memorial from Lake Highlands Area Moms Against Racism, displayed at Arapaho United Methodist Church Every morning this week when I walk my two children into church for VBS, we will walk by the Say Their Names Memorial…
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belonging vs. fitting in
Image contents: a poppy in a field of larkspurs. Text says,“‘If I get to be me, I belong. If I have to be like you, I fit in.’ Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown” I’ve long grappled with a sense of not quite fitting in wherever I go and have always wondered if everyone else…
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deconstruction resources: books
Someone recently asked for suggestions for resources as they begin the process of faith deconstruction. As I was thinking over the books and podcasts that have been most helpful to me over the past five years or so, I thought it might be helpful for others, as well. I know deconstruction means different things to…
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judgment vs. compassion
Judgement shuts down vulnerability, but compassion paves the way for connection, which is the antidote to shame. Years ago, I was part of a small group where we were encouraged to share our struggles so we could support and pray for one another. I don’t remember the specific thing I shared (probably my struggle with…
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communal grief & communal joy
**Please note: This IS a political post, because politics affect people. This post is for my friends in the margins and the privileged folks who are standing with them. To anyone else, I’m open to civil discussions offline.** When I began listening to people in the margins, one of the most important refrains I heard…
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on Botham Jean and forgiveness: justice and mercy are not mutually exclusive
The unjust, unprovoked murder of Botham Jean is a symptom of the communal sin of white supremacy. The idea that whiteness is superior is so baked into our society, none of us can be unaffected. If we do not actively work to dismantle it, we are upholding it. Though Amber Guyger was convicted, she is…
Lindsay L. O'Connor 